Justice Goodheart

One of the first things President Bush said about his new Supreme Court nominee, John Roberts, was that the judge has "a good heart."

Oh, that’s a relief. Good to know. And good to know that Bush is not relying on stock platitudes in making one of the most important announcements of his presidency.

I mean, what is with this president and cardiovascular systems? During his first campaign for presidency, he repeatedly talked about what was in his heart. And ever since then, for nearly every appointment he has made, he has said the person in question "has a good heart."

Maybe it’s just a quirk, a phrase that he really likes. Maybe it’s code for something. Maybe it’s just salesmanship. That does seem to be a big part of George Bush’s job, selling people things they are not at all sure they want. I guess if you say your product (nominee) has a good heart, people may be less likely to judge it/them harshly.

"Mr. Smith has a long and distinguished record of using child slaves to strip mine environmentally sensitive areas and then dump the toxic rubble on nursing homes … but he has a good heart." Well, he can’t be all bad, then, can he?

Ironic, isn’t it, that the man he chose to be second in power literally has a bum ticker? I wonder, has George Bush ever described Dick Cheney as a man with a good heart? (If so, critics of the president could once again claim that BUSH LIED!)

Anyhow, John Roberts. It’s a good pick. I can’t come to any other conclusion at this point. I fear for the future of this country with the continued tilt of the SC to the right, but really, that was decided in the last election. The Democrats have every right to raise questions and objections and oppose this nomination if they choose to, but it is almost a certainty that he will be confirmed.

And considering the larger picture, we could have done much worse. This is an intelligent man, held in high regard in legal circles, certainly conservative but not radically so. He’s no Bork, and from what I know of him, he’s not a Thomas or Scalia either, which were the two names Bush has always mentioned as models for his first SC pick.

I think Bush, knowing that his administration is in real trouble over the Plame case and the war in Iraq, wanted an iron-clad nominee, one that would at least have some degree of bipartisan support while still having solid conservative credentials. Roberts seems to fit the bill. This nomination is not as likely to create another divisive controversy that could further damage Bush’s standing, and it shouldn’t alienate his base either. Win-win.

He knows Rehnquist will be gone soon enough. Then, presumably after some of the current troubles have passed, he can nominate another Bork, Thomas or Scalia. Win-win.

And I’m sure that the moment he nominates Mr. Darth Sidious, he will declare that the nominee has a good heart.